1. What was your purpose of joining the Artpreneur Program?
I joined the Artpreneur Program with three clear intentions — to earn through art, to explore Indian art forms, and to learn digital art.
I wanted to leave my job and step into the creative and artistic industry. I was always drawn to paintings and illustrations, and the idea of earning through art really sparked something in me. That thought gave me the courage to quit my job and take this leap.
I was especially inspired after seeing digital illustrations of Indian gods. I desperately wanted to learn how such artwork was created, but everywhere I looked, I could only find YouTube tutorials focused on tools or design, not actual art creation. I was also exploring institutes like NID, hoping to find a place where I could truly learn art at a serious level.
At the same time, I always had the desire to earn money from my artwork, but I had no idea where to begin. I didn’t know anything about portfolios, market trends, pen tablets, or how the art industry worked. In late 2020, I joined a company as a graphic designer, but they placed me in an email marketing role instead. As a creative person, this was extremely frustrating. I knew I had to find a way into the creative field.
During breaks at work, I would constantly scroll through Instagram and Pinterest, gazing at art and illustrations. That’s when I came across the Artpreneur page. I saw an Indian god illustration, explored the curriculum, went through the Hall of Fame stories, and immediately felt this was what I had been searching for. That’s when I decided to approach the program.
Conceptualised and Illustrated by Rutvik | Artpreneur Program Alumni 2021 - 2022 Realm of Dragonflies Batch
2. Can you talk about your educational background?
I completed my BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications), where I learned web designing, backend development, and basic programming. I chose not to pursue a master’s degree because I felt there was a lot of fake hype around it and the education quality did not match the promise.
Alongside this, I always had artistic hobbies like pencil sketching and watercolor painting. I also have experience in photography, videography, and video editing, which kept my creative side alive even while studying and working in technical fields.
Conceptualised and Illustrated by Rutvik | Artpreneur Program Alumni 2021 - 2022 Realm of Dragonflies Batch
3. You had mentioned that you were preparing for NID exams. What made you drift away from NID and choose the Artpreneur Program instead?
NID has a strong reputation and a lot of hype around it. But to get admission, even for a bachelor’s degree, you have to clear a hardcore design entrance exam. I found this illogical. I wanted to learn design, but for that I first had to learn design externally just to crack the exam — which meant spending more time and money.
While I was already confused about this, I discovered the Artpreneur Program. After seeing their work on Instagram, going through the curriculum, and reading the Hall of Fame stories, the program felt far more promising than traditional art or design schools. It felt practical, honest, and aligned with what I was truly looking for.
Conceptualised and Illustrated by Rutvik | Artpreneur Program Alumni 2021 - 2022 Realm of Dragonflies Batch
4. What crucial insight helped you build such a diverse portfolio of multiple art styles?
I never imagined I would build a portfolio like this. I learned multiple ways to generate ideas, which made creative blocks feel non-existent. My observation skills improved tremendously, helping me create more refined illustrations.
Discipline taught me that with proper time management and scheduling, any work can be completed. Learning multiple Indian and international art styles made my portfolio extremely diverse. I had always wanted to learn Indian paintings, and that wish came true — along with so much more.
Conceptualised and Illustrated by Rutvik | Artpreneur Program Alumni 2021 - 2022 Realm of Dragonflies Batch
5. After transitioning from a marketing role, what challenges did you face while navigating the creative field?
My biggest challenge was not knowing where to start. I had a creative mind, but no understanding of tools, portfolio building, mood boards, or branding. My previous job in email marketing was frustrating because it didn’t allow me to create.
One surprising change during the program was how comfortable I felt attending Zoom meetings without turning my camera on — something I always disliked earlier. The Artpreneur culture felt like army training. Discipline, punctuality, and daily practice were mandatory, unlike lazy courses or regular jobs.
My stereotypes about digital art were completely eliminated. I also gained deep exposure to branding and market research, which I had no knowledge of earlier. The culture of Artpreneur is truly unique, and I would recommend it to anyone seeking clarity and guidance in their career.
Conceptualised and Illustrated by Rutvik | Artpreneur Program Alumni 2021 - 2022 Realm of Dragonflies Batch
6. As someone familiar with traditional painting, how did the program introduce you to the world of digital art and design?
I was not at a master level in traditional painting, but I could recreate artworks, draw faces, and had strong skills in pencil sketching and watercolor. I had used Photoshop and Illustrator before, but never as a digital artist. I didn’t even know these tools could be used for digital art.
I was always amazed by digital artworks online and wondered how artists created them. Even though I had creative ideas, I believed digital art was not for me. The Artpreneur Program completely broke that prejudice. It not only removed my fear of digital art, but also my dislike toward digital artists.
We first learned the software thoroughly — practicing and mastering it. Then we moved on to creating digital art using pen tablets. Using a drawing tablet for the first time was one of the toughest phases for me, but it turned into an amazing journey. For nine months, we were truly living for art.
The program also taught us how to convert traditional art into digital art, which was a big breakthrough for me.
Conceptualised and Illustrated by Rutvik | Artpreneur Program Alumni 2021 - 2022 Realm of Dragonflies Batch
7. What do you do currently?
I currently work as a Visual and Communication Designer in Ahmedabad. My role allows me to follow my passion for illustration while creating digital illustrations, web elements, and animations.
Because of the Artpreneur Program, I was able to secure this job with my desired salary, even as a fresher in the design field.
Conceptualised and Illustrated by Rutvik | Artpreneur Program Alumni 2021 - 2022 Realm of Dragonflies Batch
8. Now that you have successfully completed the program, how do you perceive the program’s claim that ‘anyone can become a master in art and creativity’?
I have seen classmates who joined only to learn branding, with no prior experience in art or illustration, create incredible artwork. That amazed me.
Society often believes that after a certain age, people cannot learn something new. But here, I’ve seen people older than me create fascinating illustrations. This program completely changed that belief for me.
You don’t just learn creativity here. You learn so many life skills that will surprise you and stay with you forever.
Conceptualised and Illustrated by Rutvik | Artpreneur Program Alumni 2021 - 2022 Realm of Dragonflies Batch
9. How instrumental were the educator and mentor in shaping your journey?
I am deeply grateful for the mentorship I received. Before this program, I only knew the concept of a teacher. I didn’t truly understand what mentorship meant.
After connecting with Balaji sir, I realized how mentorship can transform a life. His understanding of personal branding and life journeys deeply influenced me. His feedback was always genuine — not fake motivation, but honest guidance. I believe I am settled today because of his kindness and wisdom.
I also connected with my educator Anish Anna even before the program through bonus sessions. Throughout the nine months, he cared for us like a parent — gentle but honest. His way of correcting me sharpened my observation skills. When our entire group struggled with time management, he personally held a session to guide us through it.
From both of them, I learned that gentle love and deep observation are powerful ways to teach. I would strongly advise college students or anyone confused about their career direction to consider this program. Finding the right mentor is one of the most important parts of life. It is honestly very hard to put my gratitude toward all the educators and mentors into words.
Conceptualised and Illustrated by Rutvik | Artpreneur Program Alumni 2021 - 2022 Realm of Dragonflies Batch
10. For those looking to leap into the creative realm, what advice would you give?
Just jump into this realm. If you dream of creating illustrations on your own, this is the place to start. I genuinely wish I had joined this program during my 11th standard instead of choosing commerce.
Whatever you see in the curriculum, you will be able to create it. Believe me.
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